Pretoria Considers Moscow Strategic Partner, South African Diplomat Says
19:31 19.09.2023 (Updated: 15:03 21.09.2023)
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The South African diplomat gave an interview to Sputnik Africa during the ongoing WorldFood 2023, an international food exhibition in Moscow, which brings together food, beverage and ingredient producers from 39 countries and 56 regions of Russia.
South Africa views Russia as a strategic partner with which it is expanding cooperation not only bilaterally but also within the BRICS framework, Douw Vermaak, political counsellor of the South African embassy in Moscow, told Sputnik Africa.
"South Africa considers Russia as a strategic partner. You know that we deal with Russia not only at the bilateral level, but at a multilateral level. Our cooperation in BRICS is strengthening," Vermaak said.
The diplomat added that the South African embassy in Moscow is "under instruction from our government to make sure that this trade relationship is strengthened." Vermaak explained that the focus is the result of the August BRICS Summit in South Africa, which set out to strengthen economic relations between the bloc's countries.
South Africa's stand at WorldFood Moscow
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Speaking on the nation's participation in the exhibition, the diplomat noted that it was prompted by the fact that 55% of South African exports to Russia are either food or products related to the agro-industry. Therefore, Vermaak said, the WorldFood is a good opportunity to showcase the country's goods for the Russian market.
"WorldFood is one of the largest and one of the best known exhibitions in the Russian Federation. As you saw it, we will take you around if you want to. We have a large stand here. We have some very interesting products and I think we have some very interesting companies. And we are here to make sure that the Russian market learns of this," the counsellor underlined.
The diplomat asserted that trade between the BRICS countries would increase, noting that South Africa welcomes imports from Russia.
"We will see that intra-BRICS trade will increase. These countries will start to know each other's economies, the capabilities of each country. So for us in South Africa, that is the dynamic that we work under. We are pushing our products. We are welcoming Russian products into our market and it is showing results," Vermaak remarked.
The counselor noted that the bulk of South Africa's exports to Russia are citrus fruits. He revealed that in season, 80% of oranges and lemons in Russian stores come from South Africa. In addition, the export of South African wines to Russia is "exceptionally good," the diplomat added, noting that they can be found "in most restaurants in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
South Africa's stand at WorldFood Moscow
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The embassy's plans include offering fish and seafood exports to Russia, the diplomat disclosed. He cited the example of oysters, which South Africa could supply to Russia instead of the markets of Japan and New Zealand, that Moscow "has lost."
"So, fresh fruit, wines and fresh seafood, that is our focus. We want to make sure that Russians start eating South African food," Vermaak pointed out.
Russia-Africa Summit
The diplomat noted that the Second Russia-Africa Summit at the end of July showed that Moscow started "pivoting towards Africa after a very long time of not focusing on us."
Vermaak said that previously, Russia focused on "very specific areas of the trade relationship," while after the summit, the leaders decided to expand areas of mutual trade. In this vein, the African Continental Free Trade Agreement could become one of the tools for boosting Russia's trade with Africa, the diplomat noted.
"I think Russia also saw that Africa through the African Continental Free Trade Agreement has got a vehicle that can make sure that Russia engages with the continent. It can capitalize on one of the largest [...] markets available on Earth," Vermaak argued.
He added that the summit's goal of "reintroducing Russia and the African continent after a very long absence of Russia in our market" has been accomplished.
BRICS Expansion
The diplomat also commented on the August BRICS summit in South Africa, calling it a "surprise even for diplomats" that six countries joined the bloc. The inclusion of Ethiopia and Egypt in the group, which represent the Africa, will increase continent's involvement in world politics and economy, the counselor opined.
"As Africans, we are always striving to make sure that the African participation in the global market is expanded, that our political influence is a little bit expanded. The increased African participation in BRICS will make sure that the voice of Africa becomes louder. It is going to make sure that the economic power and economic projection of power by Africa is going to be larger," Vermaak outlined.
Vermaak went on further to say that the expansion of BRICS, which was the main issue of the summit hosted by South Africa in Johannesburg, went "very smartly".
He added that BRICS is "going in the right direction," with internal trade, and the inclusion of new members "is strengthening the organization quite considerably."
Sharing his expectations from the next BRICS summit to be held in Russia in 2024, the diplomat predicted that the event would address the issue of alternative payment systems trading in different currencies.
"I think that might be the main issue for Russia during the next summit, so it is going to be an interesting time for us to see how we deal with that important aspect of trade between the BRICS members [...] It is a topic that is receiving attention at a very high level. We wish the Russian presidency all the best because they will have to give direction on this issue," Vermaak concluded.
